Safety device



Aug. 15 1933.

Filed Nov. 15 1930 R. J. S. PIGOTT SAFETY DEVICE 4 Sheets-Sheet l aka/swat Aug. 1933. R 5 P|GOTT 1,922,777

SAFETY DEVICE Filed Nov. 13, 1930 4 Sh'ets-Sheet 2 gwwmtoq Rzyrka/dJJPjofi 5i W- 15, 1933- R. J. s. PIGOTT J SAFETY DEVICE Filed Nov. 13, 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 55 Q g. I 3 .50

Aug. 15, 1933 R J P|GOTT 1,922,777

S AFETY DEVICE Filed Nov. 15, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Aug. 1933 PATENT OFFICE SAFETY DEVICE Reginald J. .S. Bigott, Pittsburgh, Pa.

Application November 13, 1930 Serial No. 495,495

116 Claims. (01. 137-139) My invention relates to safety devicesandmore particularly has reference to a tripping "mechanismwhich is actuated by variations in pressure or vacuum upon an instrumentality to be pro- 5 tected. V 7

"It is an objectof the presentinvention to provide "an automatically pressure or vacuum 'actuat'ed safety device adapted "for association with any machine or mechanism to be rendered inoperative upon the development of 'an abnormal or unsafe pressure'or vacuum condition.

further object of my invention'resides'in the provision of a safety or control device which is automatically actuated when a predetermined pressure isjexceeded or when a predetermined vacuum is diminished "within the mechanism or machine to be controlled 'or protected.

Another object of my invention is to provide an automatically actuated valve responsive "to variations'in pressure or vacuum to shut down machine upon the existence of abnormal pressure or vacuum conditions in the latter.

A further object of my invention isto provide saf e'ty or control mechanism ofthe character re- 7 ferred to whichis reliable and eflicient in its operation.

Other objects'and advantages of my invention will be apparent from the more detailed description'thereof.

For a fuller understanding of the invention reference willbe had to the accompanying drawings wherein: g

Figure l is an end view of my improved safety deviceand adapted to be actuatedby an increase of superatmospheric pressure above 7 a predetermined maximum; V

Figure 2 is a sectional 'view'taken 'on the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

"Figure 3 is a plan view'of "the construction illustrated in Figures 1 and 2;

V Figure 4is'a sectional view on the line 4 4 of Figure 2;

Figure '5 is a fragmentary section on'the line mined limits and the invention .Wlll therefore be "described'withreference to such use. How

device as shown in Figure 2, the end of stud or ever, it will be understood that my improved safety or control mechanism may be applied 'to any machine or ."instrumentality whichis 'to be controlled or rendered inoperative :through pressure or vacuum variations beyond certain fixed limits.

Referring more particularly'to the drawings and especially to the superatmospheric pressure actuated device of;Figures l, 2 .and 3, at 10 is shown a'valve body to which a diaphragm chamber 'll'is secured by means of plate 12 and brackets 13. The diaphragm chamber comprises a cover member 14 and an annular ring 15 held together by circumierentially spaced bolts and nuts as shown and between which is 7o clamped .a flexible diaphragm .16. The cover '14 of the diaphragm chamber is provided with a threaded opening 17 which is adapted to be connected to the exhaust casing of a vsteamturbine or other apparatus .in which undue rise of pressureds .to be controlled or guarded against A bell crank comprising horizontal lever 18 and vertical lever 19 .is pivoted between bracketsl3 on pivot .20, theleftward movement of lever .19 being'limited by contact with ring 15 ,as shown. A weight 21 is suspended from lever 18 asshown while lever 19 carries, by means of stud-or .pin

22, a mushroom member.23 which presses against diaphragm 16 by reason of weight.21.' The arrangement is such that the diaphragm willbe held against flexing to the-right until a predetermined pressure, corresponding to the .load of weight '2l, within chamber 11 has been reached or exceeded, .in which event mushroom 23 and stud 22 will be pushed by the diaphragm in the direction of the valve body against the action of weight 21. In other words, the diaphragm is normally balanced by the weight on one side and the turbine exhaust pressure on the other side and flexes rightwardly only when the load of the weight is equalled .or exceeded by the pressureload within the diaphragm..chamher, the weight representing the predetermined maximum pressure at which .the safety mechanism is to be automatically operated .to shut down the turbine. It will, of course,:be ob.vious that a spring may'be substitutedfor the weight to counterbalance the diaphragmbut .a weight is preferable'asit has a sharper .tripping point and is more reliable than a spring.

A trip crank 24 is pivoted uponlpinl25 between fixed brackets 26 .and comprises the depending arm 27 in'the pathof movement of stud 22 (and the lateral arm 28. ..In.the.normal setting of the pin 22 is clear of arm .27. A. pin 28 on arm 28 carries a roller 29 which normally engages a secthebpposite side'of thediap.

ond roller 36 in the manner shown in Figure 2 of the drawings, roller 35 being mounted on pin 30 between pairs of links hereinafter described. Trip crank 24 is so mounted that the center of roller 29 is normally just below the line joining the center of fulcrum or pivot point and roller and is supported. in this position by means of a stop pin 31 secured inhead 32 of he valve body. The center of gravity of trip crank 24 is to the right of pivot point 25 and the crank tends to remain by gravity in the untripped or normal position shown in Figure 2.

A pair of links 33 is pivoted by means of shoulder screws 3-.- o valve head'32 while a second pair of links 35 is connected between. pin 30 carrying roller 36 and pin 36, the pin 36' passing through all four links. A Ire-setting handle 37. is formed as an extension of one of the links 33. A pilot valve stem 38 carrying a weighted and downwardly biased pilot valve hereinafter described is suspended from pin 36. 'The'links 33 and 35 formwlth pins 30f3and 36 a toggle systern which will support a considerable downward pull on valve stem 38 with a very light lateral pressure between roller 29 of arm 28 and roller 30 on pin 30, the knee of the toggle. The pilot valve hereinafter described is such as to exert a downward pull on'stem, 88 which retains roller 36 pressed against roller 29 in the manner best shown inFigure 2.

From the construction thus far described, it will be seen that when normal pressure conditions prevail in the exhaust casing of the turbine and consequently in diaphragmchamber ll connectedjthereto, the safety device is retained in its normal setting or untrippe'dposition as shown in Figure 2. Upon abnormal rise of pressure at the turbine exhaust and in chamber 11, the pressureincrease willbe promptly transmitted to diaphragm 16 untila pcintis reached, for ex ample 7 pounds gage pressure, at which the total pressure lead "against the, turbine side of the diaphragm equals the load from weight 21 upon Thereupon the diaphragm flexes to the light carrying with it' mushroom23 and stud22, the latter striking arm 27, tripping crank 24 upwardly and releasing support roller 29 against roller 39. The downward pull and pressure bias ofthe, weighted pilot valve, hereinafter described, upon valve stem 38 folds up the toggle formed by links 33 and 85; roller 30 slide'sunder roller 29, and the pilot valve descends within valve body 10, to the tripped or closed position. Handle 3'7 constitutes a' means for manually resetting the device and raising the descended pilot valve to its normal or open position and it will be noted that the device cannot be reset until the pressure in diap gm chamber 11 has'been'reduced below the tripping value as representedby weight 21. V

' Referring now to the pilot valvef assembly alluded to above and best illustrated in Figures 2,

" 4 and 5, valve body 10 is provided withan upper inlet port 50, an intermediate outlet port 51 is made larger than the upper piston by an amount sufficient to impart a pressure bias or a downward pull upon stem 38, this insuring re liable operation as otherwise the Weight of valve 59, stem 38 and links 33 and 35 may not be sufficient to bring about downward movement of the valve when crank 24 and roller 29 are tripped valve is in the normal position shown in Figure 2 of the drawings, permits oil to enter pilot valve chamber 62 through passage 54 and upper ports 56 in the liner. Intermediate port 51, at right angles to port in the valve body and somewhat lower, is connected to the throttle trip cylinder or'the primary valve cylinder of the turbine and communicates with valve chamber 62 through passage and ports 57. The throttle trip cylinder or the primary valve cylinder referred to constitute known elements in turbine installation and are such as to require a supply of oil pressure in order to remain open while a drop in oil pressure closes the valves. These devices, being well known, require no further de scription or illustration and form no part of the present invention. Bottom outlet port 52 communicateswith the oil reservoir of the turbine and the exhaust oil flows back to the supply tank by gravity. In the normal position of the valve as shown in Figure 2, communication between valvechamber 62 .and outlet 52 through ports 58 and exhaust passage 63 is closed by means of lower piston 61 of the valve while communication between ports 50 and 51 is open through valve chamber 62.

In the set or-normal position of the valve as shown'in Figure 2, it will be seen that the pressure oil supply is in communication with the throttle'trip cylinder or the primary valve cylinder of the turbine through upper port50' in the valve body, passage 54, upper ports 56, valve chamber 62, intermediate ports 57, passage 55, and intermediate port 51 .in the valve body. Ac cordingly, .by reasonfof the oil pressure supply, the throttle trip or primary valve cylinder remains open and the turbine operates in the customary manner. However, when the'pressure at the turbine exhaust, and consequently in diaphragm chamber 11, equals the predetermined maximum as represented by weight 21 and when the safety mechanism is tripped by the abnormal pressure in the manner already explained, the valve descends to a position where upper piston'GZ) covers ports 56 and lower piston 61 uncovers ports 58. In this tripped position of the valve it will be seen that communication between upper port 50 and intermediate port 51 in the valve body is closedwhile. communication between port 51 and outlet 52 is open through passage 55, ports 5'7, ports 58 and exhaust passage 63. Accordingly, all oil pressure is released from the throttle or primary cylinders causing the valves to close, thus completing the tripping operation and shutting down the turbine, the released pressure oil flow ing by gravity from outlet 62 back to the oil reservoir of the turbine. As already explained, when the pressure in diaphragm chamber 11 is re duced below the tripping value, the complete loo its

all;

a predeter the that of in the same n7 assembly may be re-set by the manual operation of handle 37.

The space 64 between upper piston 60 and cylinder head32 is in continuous communication with exhaust passage 63 through port 65 in the upper part of liner 53 and passage 66 arranged.

vertically within the valve body. This connection maintains chamber 6% at exhaust pressure and would entirely balance valve 59 if pistons 68 and 61 were of equal size but, as already ere plained, the lower piston is made larger to give a reasonable bias or pressure downward to the valve. A further purpose of maintaining ex haust (or atmospheric) pressure in chamber or is to prevent the small quantityv of oil which always leaks past piston 60 from. through the sliding joint between stem and valve cover It is not desirable to pack this sliding contact against leakage since to do so would introduce a variable friction on the valve stem 33 which rn'ght interfere with tripping.

In l 7 I have illustrated sl ht variations in my improved safety in -chant whereby the devio. actuated by a re-dr vacu to be centroll incl. rod construction the mushroom is positioned within. diap ra in chamber on the left of the the pivot extended. be-

yond l e body as shown at as, and a lever 1 ich the weight 21 is suspended, is

' ited for lever 18 of the bell crank and pivotedabout extension as. The weight new tends ;o the 1- 3, mushroom 23' and stud to the right rather than tending to ,li these elements to the left in the pressure actuated de ice and weight counterbalances a predetermined vacuu instead of a predetermined pressure. Eire .t for the variations noted, the construction oi Figures 6 and 7 is substantially was 1 to 5 and r uires no further descr tion. In the modification of Figures 6 and ll be that when the vacuum .fliin chamber falls below a pre determined value the safety mechanism is tripped as explained in connection ire actuated device.

claims where I refer to mechapon ive to or actuated by pressure ions, I mean the term pressure to be c to atmospheric, subatmospheric and superatinospheric pressure and the claims are to be so construed.

Having described my invention, what I claim is: 1. A. 'iety device for the control mechanism of a machine to be rendered inoperative upon ab- 2. A safety device for the control mechanism of a machine to be rendered inoperative upon ab- {norinal press .re variation, which comprises a pilot valve through which fluid pressure is adapted to be ti .nsmitted to said control nieclian-...a and therefrom, means including a pivoted member for nor. rally holding the pilot .valve in position to transmit fluid pressure through the valve to said control mechanism, a flexible diaphragm responsive to pressure variations, and means actuated by movement of said diaphragm for tripping said pivoted member and to thereby release the holdi: '3' means, said pilot valve being adapted to move upon release of the holding means to release the fluid pressure upon said control mechanism.

A safety device for the control mechanism a mach ne be inoperative upon pressure variation, which comprises a pilot valve through which fluid is adaptto be transmitted to said control ii eehanism, inc-ans in}: normally locking valve in position to tra- -it fluid pressure through the valve to said L m, and if cans adapted to actuat normal pressure variations in asing the locking means,

valve being weighted to descend by rid pressure to said o ntrol mechanism and to the fluid pressure upon control mechanism.

l. In combination. a toggle mechanism and a valve suspended. therefrom, retaining means act 5. In combination, a weighted valve suspended from a toggle, a stop member acting on the knee of said toggle to hold the valve in elevated position, a le diaphragm responsive to pressure variati is, and means actuated by movement of said diaphragm for to permit descent of said valve. 7

6. In combination, weighted. valve suspended from a toggle, a ro er at the knee of said toggle, a second roller ac ing on the first mentioned roller to retain the valve in elevated position, and means responsive to pressure variations for tripping said second roller upwardly to permit descent of the valve.

7. In combination, a weighted valve suspended from a toggle, a roller at the knee of the toggle, a

pivoted member, second roller on said member and normally engaging the first mentioned roller to prevent folding of said toggle, a balanced flexible diaphragm responsive to pressure variations, and means actuated by movement of said diaphragm for tripping said member.

8. In combination, a weighted valve suspended from a toggle, a roller at the knee of said toggle. a pivoted trip crank having a depending arm and a lateral arm, a second roller on said lateral arm normally engaging the first mentioned roller to prevent folding of said toggle, pressure responsive flexible diaphragm, a pivoted bell crank having a horizontal lever and a vertical lever, a weight suspended from said horizontal lever, and a stud fixed to said. vertical lever and en aging said diaphragm and adapted to strike said depending when the diaphragm is flexed.

9. In combination with a device to be operated, a toggle mechanism connected to said device and permitting movement of the latter into operative and inoperative positions. a stop member acting on the knee of said toggle mechanism to retain said device in the operative position, and means actuated by pressure variations for releasing said stop member from engagement with the knee of the toggle mechanism to permit said device to move into the inoperative position.

10. A safety device comprising a valve, a toggle connected to said valve and permitting the releasing said stop member latter to assume open and closed positions, a stop member acting on the knee of said toggle to retain the valve in open position, and means actuated by pressure variations for tripping said member to permit the valve to assume the closed position.

11. A safety device comprising a weighted valve suspended from a toggle, a stop member acting on the knee of said toggle to retain said valve in an elevated open position, and pressure re sponsive means for tripping said member to permit descent of said valve to closed position.

12. A safety device comprising in combination: a valve casing having an upper inlet port, an intermediate outlet port, a loweroutlet port; a valve within said casing having an upper piston and a larger lower piston forming a valve charm ber therebetween; retaining means for holding said valve in elevated position to maintain communication between said upper and intermediate ports through said chamber and to close com munication between said chamber and said lower port by said lower piston; and pressure responsive means for releasing said retaining means to permit descent of said valve to close said upper port and establish communication between said intermediate and lower ports through said chamber.

13. A safety device comprising in combination: a valve casing having an upper inlet port, an intermediate outlet port, and a lower outlet port; a weighted valve within said casing adapted to maintain communication between said upper and intermediate ports and to close communication between said intermediate and lower ports when in elevated position and adapted to close said upper port and establish communication between said intermediate and lower ports when in lowered position; retaining means for holding said valve in the elevated position; and means actuated by pressure variations for releasing said retaining means to permit descent of the valve to the lowered position.

14. In a device for rendering a machine inoperative upon abnormal pressure variations in said machine, a valve through which fluid pressure is adapted to be transmitted, an operating member in said valve upon which said fluid pressure is exerted, said member having a first area upon which said fluid pressure exerts a force in a direction to open the valve, and a second area upon which said fluid pressure exerts a force in a direction to close the valve, said second area being slightly greater than the first, whereby the valve is biased toward closed position by said fluid pressure, means to lock the valve in open position, and means adapted to be actuated by abnormal pressure variations in said machine to release said locking means.

15. In a device for rendering a machine inoperative upon abnormal pressure variations in said machine, a valve through which fluid pressure is adapted to be transmitted, an operating memer in said valve upon which said fluid pressure is exerted, said member having a first area upon which said fluid pressure exerts a force in a direction to open the valve, and a second area upon which said iluid pressure exerts a force in a direction to close the valve, said second area being slightly greater than the first, whereby the valve is biased toward closed position by said fluid pres sure, a toggle mechanism connected to said valve and permitting movement of said valve into open and closed position, a stop member acting upon the knee of said toggle mechanism to retain said valve in open position, and means actuated by abnormal pressure variations in said machine to release said stop member from engagement with the knee of said toggle mechanism.

16. In combination, a valve suspended from a toggle, a roller at the knee of the toggle, a pivot, a pivoted member on said pivot, a second roller positioned on said pivoted member and normally engaging the first mentioned roller to prevent folding of said toggle, said second roller being positioned below a line through the center of said pivot and the center of said first roller, and means responsive to pressure variations for raising said pivoted member to release the knee of said toggle.

REGINALD J. S. PIGOTT. 

